Pop-up reseal closure for plastic powder container



R. w. DlKE 3,173,589

POP-UP RESEAL CLOSURE FOR PLASTIC POWDER CONTAINER March 16, 1965 FiledFeb. 21, 1963 INVENTOR United States Patent 0 3,173,589 POP-UP RESEALCLUSURE FOR PLASTIC PUWDER CONTAINER Roy W. Dike, Northbrook, lll.,assignor to Continental Can (Zompany, Inc., New York, N.Y., acorporation of New York Filed Feb. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 266,235 16 Claims.(Cl. 222-479) This invention relates to a novel pop-up releasableclosure particularly adapted for use with plastic containers filled witha dry or semi-dry dispensable product such as powdered soap, cleaners,granular flavorings, crystalline chemicals and various food products.

An object of this invention is the provision of a novel closureconstructed of a single piece of substantially rigid material such aspolyethylene or a similar thermoplastic, the closure being snapped intoan opening of a container after the container has been provided with asuitable dispensable fill, the closure including a plurality ofoutwardly directed peripheral ribs, one of the outwardly directedperipheral ribs being etfective to maintain the container in sealedrelationship Within the closure during storage and shipment of thecontainer and another of the outwardly directed peripheral ribs preventsthe removal of the closure from within the container during thedispensing operation thereof.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel containerand pop-up resealable dispensing closure, the container including a bodyhaving an opening defined by a peripheral portion, the pop-up resealabledispensing closure being slidably received in the opening of thecontainer, the closure including a body having an upper peripheral rib,a lower peripheral rib and an intermediate peripheral rib, theintermediate peripheral rib normally underlying the peripheral portionin a first position but being capable of intimately overlying andsealing the peripheral portion in a second position and being spacedfrom the peripheral portion in a third position of the intermediateperipheral rib, a plurality of passages being provided in the closurebody in a peripheral surface thereof and extending at least between thelower and intermediate peripheral ribs, the passages placing theinterior of the container in communication with the atmosphere when theintermediate peripheral rib is in the third position thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel container andpop-up resealable dispensing closure of the type immediatelyabove-described, wherein the plurality of passages are formed indiametrically opposed peripheral portions of the closure body and thenumber of the passages differs in each of the diametrically opposedperipheral portions whereby the fill of the container can be selectivelydispensed at a different flow rate depending upon the plurality ofpassages employed during the dispensing operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel containerand pop-up resealable dispensing closure of the type heretoforedescribed, and in addition, to form the plurality of passages aselongated grooves opening outwardly of a peripheral surface of theclosure between the lower and intermediate peripheral ribs andsubstantially parallel to the axis of the container.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a noveldispensing container and a pop-up resealable dispensing closure of thetype having a closure body slidably received in an opening of acontainer defined by a peripheral portion thereof, the closure bodyhaving an upper, lower and intermediate radially outwardly directedperipheral rib, the closure body being formed from an integral piece ofplastic material having an axial bore, the axial bore defining adepending peripheral skirt term- 3,173,589 Ce Patented Mar. 16, 1965inating in a free peripheral edge, a plurality of elongated slots beingformed in the depending peripheral skirt and extending from the freeperipheral edge thereof to the intermediate peripheral rib of theclosure body, the intermediate peripheral rib being shiftable into anyone of three positions and the plurality of elongated slots placing theinterior of the dispensing container in communication with theatmosphere in one of these three positions of the intermediateperipheral rib.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel three-positionresealable dispensing closure adapted for use with a container having aninwardly directed peripheral portion defining an opening of thecontainer into which the closure is adapted to be received, the closureincluding an integral substantially rigid body having upper, lower andintermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs, a plurality of passagesin the closure extending between the lower and the intermediateoutwardly directed peripheral ribs, the plurality of passages openingradially outwardly of the closure and in substantial parallel alignmentto an axis of the closure, the plurality of passages being in the formof either elongated grooves or slots formed in diametrically opposedperipheral portions of the closure and the number of the grooves orslots differing in each of the diametrically opposed peripheral portionswhereby dilferent dispensing rates are achieved.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a novel container andpop-up resealable dispensing closure constructed in accordance with thisinvention, and illustrates a plurality of elongated slots extending froma free pcripheral lower edge of the closure toward an outwardly directedperipheral intermediate rib of the closure and the plurality ofelongated slots being formed in diametrically opposed peripheralportions of the closure.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary top perspective view with a part broken awayfor clarity, and illustrates the pop-up resealable dispensing closureinserted in an opening of the container and the outwardly directedintermediate peripheral rib of the closure lockingly underlying aninwardly directed peripheral portion of the container.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of thecontainer and pop-up resealable dispensing closure taken along line 3-3of FIGURE 2, and more clearly illustrates the outwardly directedintermediate peripheral rib of the closure in underlying sealing contactwith the inwardly directed peripheral portion of the container.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the dispensingcontainer and pop-up resealable dispensing closure of FIGURES 1 through3, and illustrates the outwardly directed intermediate peripheral rib ofthe dispensing closure in overlying sealing contact with the inwardlydirected peripheral portion of the container prior to the movement ofthe container and closure into a dispensing position.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the dispensingcontainer and pop-up resealable dispensing closure of FIGURE 4 after themovement thereof into a dispensing position, and illustrates one of theplurality of elongated slots placing the interior of the container incommunication with the atmosphere and a lower outwardly directedperipheral rib of the dispensing closure preventing the completewithdrawal of the closure from within the container.

FIGURE 6 is a bottom perspective view of a pop-up resealable dispensingclosure, and shows a plurality of elongated grooves formed indiametrically opposed pefrom an intermediate outwardly directedperipheral rib of the dispensing closure through an outwardly-directedlower peripheral rib thereof. 2

A dispensing container and popup resealable dispensing closureconstructed in accordance with this invention 15 bestillustrated inFIGURES 1 through 5 of the drawings, and is generally designated by thereference numeral 10.

Thedispensing container and pop-up resealable dispensing closureincludes 'a container 11 having a body, 12 and an integral upwardly andinwardly sloping neck 13.. The neck 13 terminates in an integralperipheral reinforcing portion 14 defining an opening 15 of thecontainer 11. The container 11 is preferably blow-molded from plasticmaterial, but may also be fabricated from shet metal. Any dry orsemi-dry dispensable fill such as granular flavorings, crystallinechemicals, grated dry or semi-dry food-products, cleaners or powderedsoap may be packaged in the dispensing container 11.

A pop-up resealable dispensing closure 16 of the dis pensing containerand closure 10 comprises a substantially. rigid body 17 which ispreferably injection-molded from polyethylene or a similarthermoplastic'material.

Thebody 17' of the pop-up resealable dispensing closure 16 includes anintegral rib 18 which flares upwardly and outwardly from a recessed end20 of the body 17. The

upper outwardly directed peripheral rib 18- terminates in a freeperipheral edge 21.

7 the insertion of the dispensing closure 16 into the opening 15 of thedispensing containerll. An upper annular abutment wall or shoulder 31 ofthe lower peripheral rib 28 prevents the dispensing closure 16 frombeing accidentally or inadvertently removed from within thebody 2' ofthe dispensing container 11 when the, latter is in the dispensingposition shownin FIGURE '5 of the drawing. 7

The depending peripheral skirt '25 of the dispensing closure 16 isinterrupted along a plurality of diametrically opposed peripheralskirtportions thereof by a plurality of elongated passages or slots 32and a single passage or slot 33. Both the passages or slots 32 and the,passage or slot 33 extend theentire axial length of theperipheral skirtfrom the recessed end 20 and the intermediate peripheral rib 22 of the;body 17 to the free peripheral edge 27. of the peripheral skirt 25. Theplurality of slots An intermediate peripheral rib 22 projects radiallyout I wardly with respect to the axis of the body 17. The

diametrical dimension of the intermediate peripheral rib 22 is slightlygreater than the diameter of the opening 15 in the neck 13 of thecontainer 11' to enable the intermediate peripheral rib 22 to. besnapped fromthe position shown in FIGURE 4 (sealingly overlying theperipheral portion 14 of the dispensing container 11) tothe positionshown in FIGURE 3 (sealingly underlying the peripheral portion 14 of thedispensing container 11) and-vice versa, for a purpose to be more fullydescribed hereafter.

Anannular sealing recess 23 is formed in the body 17 of thedispensingclosure 16 between the upper peripheral rib 21 and theintermediate peripheral rib 22. The annular sealin'grecess 23 isslightly greaterin circumference than the circumference of the opening15 insthecontainer ings, .when the dispensing closure'16is snapped intothe 32 and the diametrically opposed; slot 33 place the axial bore orchamber 24 of the dispensing closure 16 in radial communication with theinterior of the container body 12 when the dispensing closure 16 ispositioned as shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. 'However, whenthedispensing closure 16 is snapped-out of the container body 12 to theposition shown in FIGURE 4, (with the intermediate peripheral rib 22overlying the reinforced periph-; eral portion 14) and thedispensing'container 11 is moved I to the dispensing position ofFIGURES, the plurality of slots 32 and the slot33 place the interior ofthe dispensing container 11 in communication with the atmosphere. Anydesirable fill in the dispensing container 11 may now be dispensedthroughjthe plurality of slots 32 in the. depending peripheral skirt 35;It should be noted that while, FIGURE S illustrates the dispensingcontainer 11 p in a position, enabling fill to be dispensed through theplurality of slots 32, the dispensing container 11 need only be revolvedsubstantially; 180? from the position illustrated in FIGURE 5 todispense the fill through the single passage or slot 33.. Thus, a"faster dispensingrate is achievedwhen the dispensing container 11 is inthe position shown in FIGURE 5, while a much slower dispensing rate isachieved when the dispensing container 11 is revolved asabove-described. V i

' In operation, the dispensing container ;11 is first filled with anydry or semi-dry product. The dispensing closure 16 is then snappeddowninto the opening 15 of the dispensing container 11 to the position shownin FIGURE 3 of the drawing in which the peripheral reinforcing pore 7tion 14 of the container body 12. is in sealing contact dispensingcontainer 11 to aposition in which the inter I mediate peripheral rib 22of the dispensing closure 16 underlies the peripheral portion 14 of thedispensing container 11, a positive seal between the dispensing closure16 and the dispensing container 11 is formed.

The body 17 of the dispensing closure 16 is provided with an axialbore24. The-axial bore 24 forms an interior chamber of an integral dependingperipheral skirt 25 of the body 17. The peripheralskirt 25 includes anexterior circumferential wall 26 which has a diameter and acircumference substantially equal to the diameter and the with theannular sealing recess 23tof the dispensing closhrs '16. Theintermediate peripheral rib 22 of the dispensing closure 16 underliesthe peripheral portion 14 of; the dispensing container 11 and cooperateswith the outwardly flaring upper peripheral rib 21' to effect a positiveseal. In this position, (FIGURE 3) the dispensing closure andicontainer10 may be shipped to'a consumer for subsequent use.

A consumer can then open the dispensing closure and containerv 10 byforcing his forefinger and thumb and/or second finger under the flaredupper peripheral rib 21 to .pop? the dispensing closure 16 out-of thedispensing closure ll'to the position shown in FIGURE 4. At this I pointthe dispensing closure 16 may be completely re circumference of theopening 15 of the dispensing container 11. This dimensioning in effectforms a slip-fit be tween the circumferential wall 26 of the dispensingclosure 16 and the peripheral portion; 14 of the dispensing container11, thereby permitting the dispensing closure 16 to slide freely'intoand out of the dispensing containe'r'll along the entire axiallength ofthecircurnferential wall 26.

The depending peripheralskirt 25 of the body '17 terminates in a freeperipheral edge 27'. The depending peripheral skirt 25 of the body 17 isalso'provided with anintegral outwardly directed lower peripheral rib28. The

lower peripheral rib 28 includes a radially inwardly and downwardlytapering peripheral wall 30 'which'facilitates moved from the body 12 ofthe dispensing container 11 to enable the consumer to spoon-out theproduct in the dispensing container 11. Oncethe intermediate peripheralrim'22 of the dispensing container 11 is snapped-over the peripheralreinforcing. portion 14 01": the dispensing container 11, thedispensingclosure 16 can be manually withdrawn from the body 12 untilthe annularabutment wall or shoulder 31 of the peripheral skirt 25 contacts theperipheral reinforcing'portion 14 of the dispensing container 11. Inthis position the interior ofthe dispensing container 11 :isplaced incommunication withthe atmosphere through the plurality of passages orslots 32 and the diametrically opposed; passage or slot 33.

The dispensing container 11 may then be revolved, or alternatively, thedispensing closure 16 may be revolved with respect to the dispensingcontainer 11, to dispense the package product either through theplurality of passages or slots 32 or the single diametrically opposedslot or passage 33.

In the inverted dispensing position of FIGURE 5, it should be noted thatthe abutment between the annular abutment wall or shoulder 31 and theperipheral reinforcing portion 14 of the dispensing container 11precludes the dispensing closure 16 from dropping out of the body 12.Furthermore, in this position the intermediate peripheral rib 22overlies and is spaced from the peripheral reinforcing 14 of thecontainer body 12.

When a sufficient amount of the product has been dispensed, thedispensing container 11 is then inverted from the position shown inFIGURE 5 to the position of FIG- URE 4. As the dispensing container 11is being inverted, the dispensing closure 16 slides back into the body12 until the intermediate peripheral rib 22 overlies and contacts theperipheral reinforcing portion 14 of the container body 12. As has beenheretofore noted, it is because of the sliding fit of thecircumferential wall 26 of the peripheral skirt 25 within the opening 15of the dispensing container 11 that the dispensing closure 16 canautomatically re-seat itself to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4 ofthe drawings. Because the dispensing container 11 is constructed ofpolyethylene, a seal is created between the intermediate peripheral rib22 and the peripheral reinforcing portion 14 of the dispensing container11 when the same are in contact, and the interior of the container body12 is no longer in communication with the atmosphere. This isparticularly advantageous when a product such as salt, which isadversely affected by a high moisture content of the atmosphere, ispackaged in the dispensing container 11. Similarly, if crystallinechemicals are packaged within the dispensing container 11, the sealingcontact between the intermediate peripheral rib 22 and the peripheralreinforcing portion 14 of the container body 12 prevents contaminantsfrom adversely or undesirably co-acting with the crystalline chemicals,which coaction might otherwise occur if the chemicals were temporarilyexposed to the atmosphere.

It should be further noted that since the seal of FIG- URE 4 is not amechanical seal, the dispensing container 11 need but be inverted andthe dispensing closure 16 will be pushed out of the container body 12 bythe packaged product, due to gravity and the slip-fit between thecircumferential wall 26 and the opening 15 previously described.

A pop-up resealable dispensing closure adapted to be used with adispensing container such as the dispensing container 11 of FIGURES 1through 5 of the drawings is ,illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7, and isgenerally referred to by the reference numeral 36. The dispensingclosure 36 is substantially identical to the dispensing closure 16, andincludes an integral plastic body 37 having an integral upwardly andoutwardly flaring upper peripheral rib 38, an integral intermediateoutwardly directed peripheral rib 42 and a lower outwardly directedperipheral rib 48. The dispensing closure 36 further includes an annularsealing recess 43 between the upper peripheral rib 38 and theintermediate peripheral rib 42. The body 37 of the dispensing closure 36is solid and has a circumferential wall 46 depending axially from theintermediate peripheral rib 42 to an annular abutment wall or shoulder51 of the lower peripheral rib 48. The lower peripheral rib 48 isinwardly and downwardly tapered at 50, in a manner identical to thetapered wall portion 30 of the dispensing closure 16.

The relative dimensions, functions and construction of the components38, 42, 43, 46, 48, 50 and 51 of the dispensing closure 36 are identicalto the respective dimensions, functions and construction of thecomponents 18,

6 22, 23, 26, 28, 30 and 31 of the dispensing closure 16 of FIGURES 1through 5 of the drawing.

In lieu of the plurality of elongated slots 32 and the diametricallyopposed slot 33 of the dispensing closure 16, the dispensing closure 36is provided with a plurality of elongated passages or grooves 52 and adiametrically opposed elongated passage or groove 53 in the periphery ofthe closure body 37. The plurality of passages or grooves 52 and thediametrically opposed passage or groove 53 extend from the intermediateperipheral rib 42 downwardly through the lower peripheral rib 48 andopened outwardly through a bottom surface 47 of the body 37.

The dispensing closure 36 along with the plurality of grooves 52 and thediametrically opposed groove 53, op erate in a manner substantiallyidentical to that heretofore discussed in connection with the dispensingclosure 16.

While various forms of a dispensing container and a pop-up resealabledispensing closure particularly adapted for use with a plasticdispensing container have been shown herein for purposes ofillustration, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises abody having an opening defined by an inwardly directed peripheralportion, said closure being slidably received in said opening andincluding a body having an upper peripheral rib, a lower peripheral riband an intermediate peripheral rib between said upper and lowerperipheral ribs, said intermediate peripheral rib normally underlyingand engaging said inwardly directed peripheral portion in a firstposition thereof but being capable of contactingly overlying saidperipheral portion in a second position and spacingly overlying saidperipheral portion in a third position, at least one passage in aperipheral surface of said closure body and said passage extending atleast between said lower and intermediate peripheral ribs whereby saidone passage places the interior of said container body in communicationwith the atmosphere when said intermediate peripheral rib is in thethird position thereof.

2. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises abody having an opening defined by an inwardly directed peripheralportion, said closure being slidably received in said opening andincluding a body having a lower outwardly directed peripheral rib and anintermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib spaced from said loweroutwardly directed peripheral rib, said intermediate outwardly directedperipheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardly directedperipheral portion in a first position thereof but being capable ofcontactingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral portion in asecond position and spacingly overlying said inwardly directedperipheral portion in a third position, at least one passage in a saidclosure body extending between said lower and intermediate outwardlydirected peripheral ribs whereby said passage places the interior ofsaid container body in communication with the atmosphere when theintermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib is in the third positionthereof yet is closed to the atmosphere when the intermediate outwardlydirected peripheral rib is in the first or second position thereof.

3. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises abody having an opening defined by an inwardly directed peripheralportion, said closure being slidably received in said opening andincluding a body having a lower outwardly directed peripheral rib and anintermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib spaced from said loweroutwardly directed peripheral rib, said intermediate outwardly directedperipheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardly directedperipheral portion in a first position thereof but being capable ofcontactingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral por- 'tion in asecond position and spacingly overlying saidzinwardly directedperipheral portion in 'a third position, a plurality of'pass'ages in asaid closure body extendingbetween said'l'ower and intermediateoutwardly directed peripheral ribs whereby said passages place theinterior of said container body in communication with the atmospherewhen the intermediate outwardly directed'peripher'al rib is in the thirdposition thereof yet is closed to the atmosphere when the intermediateoutwardly directed peripheral ribis in the first or secondposition'thereof.

4. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises abody having an opening defined by an mediate outwardly directedperipheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardly directedperipheral portion in a first position thereof but being capableofcontactingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral portion inasecond position and spacingly overlying said inwardly directedperipheral portion in a third position,'a

plurality of passages in a said closure body extending b tween saidlower and intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs, saidplurality of passages being formed in a peripheral surface of saidclosure body and substantially parallel to the axis'of said'containerbody whereby said passagesplace'the interior of said container body incommunication with the atmosphere when the intermediate outwardlydirected peripheral rib is in the third position thereof yet is closedto the atmosphere when the intermediate outwardly directed peripheralrib is in the first or second position thereof.

5. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises abody having an opening defined by an inwardly directed peripheralportion, said closurebeing slidably received in said openingand-includingla body'having a lower outwardly directed peripheral ribandan intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib spaced from saidlower outwardly directed peripheral rib, said intermediate outwardlydirected peripheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardlydirected peripheral portion in a first position thereof but beingcapable of contactingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheralportion in a second position and spacingly overlying said inwardlydirected peripheral portion in a third position, a plurality of passagesin a said closure 7 body extending between said'lower and intermediateoutwardly directed peripheral ribs, said plurality of passages beingformed in diametrically opposed peripheral portions of said closurebody, the number of passages difiering in each of said diametricallyopposed peripheral portions, whereby said passages place the interior ofsaid o container body in communication with the atmosphere when theintermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib is in the third positionthereof yet is closed to the atmosphere when the intermediate outwardlydirected peripheral 'rib is in the first or second position'thereof.

6. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises abody'having an opening defined by an inwardly directed peripheralportion, said closure being slidably received in said opening andincluding a body having a lower outwardly directed peripheral .rib andan intermediate outwardly directed peripheral'rib spaced from said loweroutwardly directed peripheral rib, said intermediate outwardlydirectedper-ipheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardlydirected peripheral portion -in a first position thereof but beingcapable of contactingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheral.portion in a second position and spacingly overlying said inwardlydirected peripheral portion in a third position, a plurality of passagesin a said closure body extending between said lower and intermediateoutwardly directed peripheral ribs, said plurality of passages beingformed in diainetrically opposed peripheral portions "of said closurebody, the number of passages differing in thereof;

7. 'A combined container and closure wherein said'container comprises abody having an opening defined by inwardly directed peripheral" portion,said closure being slidably receivedin said openin'g and'including asolid plastic body having a lower outwardly directed peripheral ribandan intermediate outwardly directed peripheral rib spaced'from saidlower outwardly directed peripheral rib, said intermediate outwardlydirected peripheral rib normally underlying and engaging said inwardlydirected peripheral portion in a first position thereof but beingcapable of contactingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheralportion in a second position and spacingly overlying said inwardlydirected peripheral portion in a third position, a plurality of passagesin a'said closure bodyextending between said lower and intermediateoutwardly directed peripheral ribs, said plurality of passages beingformedin diametrically opposed peripheral portions of said closure body,the number of passages dilfering in-each of said diametrically opposedperipheral portions,said plurality of passages beingsubstantiallyparallel to the axis v of said container, the plurality ofpassages being elongated grooves opening outwardly entirely of saidsolid plastic body between the lower and intermediate outwardly directedperipheral ribs thereof, whereby said grooves place the interior of saidcontainer body in communication with the atmosphere when theintermediate 'outwardly directed peripheralrib is'in the third positionthereof yet is closed to the atmospherewhen the inter- 'inediateoutwardly directed peripheral rib is inthe first or second positionthereof. I,

8. A combined container and closure wherein said container comprises abody having an opening defined by an 'inwardly directed peripheralportion, said closure being 'slidablyfreceived in saidv openingan'dincluding a solid plastic body, said closure body being formed fromplastic and-including an axial b or'e,said' axial bore defining adependin'g'peripheral skirt portion'terminating in a freeperipheraled'ge, said closure body having a lower outaardly'directedperipheral rib and an intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribspaced from said lower outwardly directed peripheral rib,.saidintermediate outwardly vdirected peripheral rib normallyunderlying andengaging said: inwardly directed peripheral portion in a first positionthereof but being capable of contactingly overlyingsaidinwardly'dire'cted peripheral portion in a second position andspacingly overlying said inwardly directed peripheralportion in a thirdposition, aplurality of passages in'a said closure body extendingbetween said lower and intermediatev outwardly g directed peripheralribs, said plurality of passages being formed in diametrically opposedperipheral portions of said closure body, the number ofpassages'diliering in each of said diametrically opposed peripheralportions; said plurality of passages being substantially parallel to theaxis of said container, the plurality of passages being elongateds slotsin said depending peripheral skirtand opening entirely radiallyoutwardly of said axial bore at least between the lower.and-intermediate outwardly directedperipheral ribs.

9 A three position closure adapted for use with a container having aninwardly radially directed peripheral portion defining an opening, ofthe container into which the closureis adaptedto, be'received, saidclosure com.-

r prising a body-having an upper peripheral rib, a lower peripheral riband an intermediate peripheral rib, between said upper and lowerperipheral ribs, each of said peripheral ribs being directed outwardlywith respect to the axis of said closure body, said intermediateperipheral rib being adapted to normally underlie and engage theperipheral portion of a container in a first position thereof but beingcapable of contactingly overlying the peripheral port-ion in a secondposition and spacingly overlie the peripheral portion in a thirdposition, a plurality of passages in said closure bony extending betweenthe lower and intermediate outwardly directed per pheral ribs and saidplurality of passages opening radi lly outwardly of said body and insubstantial parallel alignment to the axis of said body.

10. A three position closure adapted for use with a container having aninwardly radially directed peripheral portion defining an opening of thecontainer into which the closure is adapted to be received, said closurecomprising a solid body having an upper peripheral rib, lower peripheralrib and an intermediate peripheral rib between said upper and lowereripheral ribs, each of said peripheral ribs being directed outwardlywith respect to the axis of said closure body, said intermediateperipheral rib being adapted to normally underlie and engage theperipheral portion of a container in a first position thereof but beingcapable of contactingly overlying the peripheral portion in a secondposition and spacingly overlie the peripheral portion in a thirdposition, a plurality of passages in said closure body extending betweenthe lower intermediate outwardly directed peripheral ribs and saidplurality of passages openin" radially outwardly of said body and insubstantial parallel alignment to the axis of said body, said pluralityof passages being elongated grooves opening outwardly of said solidplastic body between the lower and intermediate outwardly directedperipheral ribs thereof.

ll. A three position closure adapted for use with a container having aninwardly radially directed peripheral portion defining an opening of thecontainer into which the closure is adapted to be received, said closurecomprising a solid body, said solid body being formed from plastic andincluding an axial bore, said axial bore defining a depending peripheralskirt portion terminating in a free pcripheral edge, said body having anupper peripheral rib, a lower peripheral rib and an intermediateperipheral rib between said upper and lower peripheral ribs, each ofsaid peripheral ribs being directed outwardly with respect to the axisof said closure body, said intermediate peripheral rib being adapted tonormally underlie and engage the peripheral portion of a container in afirst position thereof but being capable of contactingly overlying theperipheral portion in a second position and spacingly overlie theperipheral portion in a third position, a plurality of passages in saidclosure body extending between the lower and intermediate outwardlydirected peripheral ribs and said plurality of passages opening radiallyoutwardly of said body lb and in substantial parallel alignment to theaxis of said body, said plurality of passages being elongated slots inthe depending peripheral skirt, said elongated slots openentireiyradially outwardly of said axial bore between the free peripheral edgeof said peripheral skirt portion and said intermediate outwardlydirected peripheral rib.

12. The three position closure as defined in claim 10 wherein saidplurality of grooves are formed in diametrically opposed peripheralportions of said body, and the number of grooves in each peripheralportion dillers from the number of grooves in any other peripheralportion.

i3. The three position closure as defined in claim 11 wherein saidplurality of slots are formed in diametrically opposed peripheralportions of said body and the number of slots in each peripheral portiondilfcrs from the number of slots in any other peripheral portion.

14. The three position closure as defined in claim 13 wherein the loweroutwardly directed peripheral rib includes a tapered peripheral surfaceadapted to facilitate insertion of the closure into an opening of acontainer and is further provided with an annular abutment wall topreclude withdrawal of the closure when the same has been inserted in acontainer.

15. A combined container and closure wherein the container comprises abody having an opening defined by an inwardly directed peripheralportion, locking means forming a part of said peripheral portion, saidclosure being slidably received in said opening and including a bodyhaving an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate peripheralsealing portion between the upper and lower portions, said intermediatesealing portion normally underlying and engaging the peripheral portionof the container in a first position thereof and being positively lockedthereat by said locking means, said peripheral portion contactinglyoverlying the peripheral portion of the container body in a secondposition upon the release of said locking means, and in spacinglyoverlying relationship to the peripheral portion of the container bodyin a third position, and passage means placing the interior of thecontainer body in communication with the atmosphere only upon therelease of the intermediate sealing portion by the locking means.

16. The combined container and closure as defined in claim 15 whereinthe intermediate sealing portion is a radially outwardly directedperipheral rib having a diameter greater than the opening defined bysaid peripheral portion to form said locking means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. A COMBINED CONTAINER AND CLOSURE WHEREIN SAID CONTAINER COMPRISES ABODY HAVING AN OPENING DEFINED BY AN INWARDLY DIRECTED PERIPHERALPORTION, SAID CLOSURE BEING SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN SAI DOPENING ANDINCLUDING A BODY HAVING AN UPPER PERIPHERAL RIB, A LOWER PERIPHERAL RIBAND AN INTERMEDIATE PERIPHERAL RIB BETWEEN SAID UPPER AND LOWERPERIPHERAL RIBS, SAID INTERMEDIATE PERIPHERAL RIB NORMALLY UNDERLYINGAND ENGAGING SAID INWARDLY DIRECTED PERIPHERAL PORTION IN A FIRSTPOSITION THEREOF BUT BEING CAPABLE OF CONTACTINGLY OVERLYING SAIDPERIPHERAL PORTION IN A SECOND POSITION AND SPACINGLY OVERLYING ANDPERIPHERAL PORTION IN A THIRD POSITION, AT LEAT ONE PASSAGE IN A